Sermon Illustrations on Heaven — page 3

Your Soul Will Live Forever

Job 14:14

Thirty years ago an elderly prospector suddenly disappeared from his home in southwestern United States. After an intense search by local police, the man, a few years later, was declared legally dead. He left behind an estate worth nearly a quarter of a million dollars. But the man had never been married and he had no heirs.

So a furious battle broke out over the estate. The love of money, the Bible says, is the root of all evil. And you can be sure that whenever there is an estate to be settled, the love of money, or shall we say the godless greed for money, often breaks out. Friends become instant adversaries; relatives become combatants; and previously loving family members become bitter enemies all over the greed for money.

This was also the root of the struggle that followed the death of the heirless prospector who left behind $230,000. But in this situation relatives and family members were not involved in the estate fight. And you may be surprised at who the quarreling and conniving parties were. They were research institutes of science and psychology. And here is the reason.

You see, when this prospector died he had no heirs; but he did leave a will. In his will he stipulated that the nearly quarter of a million dollars that he left behind was for research of a very interesting type. The money was to be used to research and to prove the existence of the human soul. This unusual requirement, however, of this man's will greatly complicated the settling of the estate. And this posed an insurmountable question. Who in the whole world is competent to do research on the question of whether a man's soul continues to exist after he dies?

So when the settling of the will took place, the judge in Phoenix, Arizona, was faced with 138 different parties all laying claim to the money in the estate. And this included, of course, a variety of scientific institutions and psychology foundations, all who argued, of course, that they were able to do scientific research into the question of whether a man's soul continues to exist after death.

When the court battle was over, and when the dust settled, the judge awarded the money to a neurological institute in Phoenix, Ariz. This decision, according to the newspaper reports, was arrived at because the judge decided that the existence of a man's soul was a scientific question and not a theological or a Biblical question.

Now, the question of a soul's existence after the body dies was not first raised in an Arizona courtroom. This groping for answers to the most fundamental and the most important question in life was stated most clearly centuries and centuries earlier.

Job, the popular Old Testament Bible personality, declared the dilemma to be this. He said, "If a man dies, will he live again?" (Job 14:14).

And over the centuries, evidence of the answer has come, not from science or psychology, but from the pages of the Bible. Because, you see, this is neither a scientific nor a psychological question. This is a theological, a religious, or a Biblical question. No secular research is necessary to answer this question.

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#26

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Questions On Heaven

Answers questions on heaven such as: bodies, know each other, families, eat/work, what we will do. Most important question is whether we are going there.

Key Aspects About Heaven

Normal New Testament usage talks about a future transformed world rather than "heaven." We usually find hell more interesting than heaven.

Key aspects about heaven:

1. The presence of God.

2. All harmful things will end. End of suffering and death and insecurity.

3. Heaven is other people.

It is a place of community.

No place for individualism.

We will see loved ones.

4. It will be a place of activity.

Not boring harps.

5. There will be continuity with this world.

6. Worship will be the central activity.

Hymns in Revelation give a clue.

A Christian Perspective On Near-Death Experiences

A Christian perspective on near-death experiences. They are culturally conditioned. One researcher, Carol Zaleski, compared medieval and biblical accounts with modern ones. The medieval NDEs surely reflect what we know about life. Life is difficult. It is attended by failure and even tragedy. In life, hope is real but hard won; suffering is unavoidable but sometimes redemptive. By comparison, contemporary NDEs feature no ordeals, cater easy hope, and ignore suffering. The climax of a modern NDE states, "She learned and grew in her learning. This was satisfying. Phyllis was okay."

Zaleski correctly identifies the dominant cultural influence here as client- centered psychology. In modern NDEs, God is created in the image of therapist Carl Rogers. Does it really help us better learn how to live and die meaningfully?

Heaven

Mark 9

Major article on evolution of doctrine of heaven and hell. Many mainstream Protestant preachers no longer preach it because it is passe. Hell died in nineteenth century. Lay people still have strong belief in it. Two images of heaven are most common in Western culture: theocentric and anthrocentric. Tendency today is to be man-centered.

Belief in heaven does not inhibit active life here and now, as Freud, Marx and Nietzsche argued. Studies show that “those who believe in life after death lead happier lives and trust people more. The people who believe in heaven are just as committed to this world as those who don’t. Belief in personal survival is not the coward’s way out” (Rev. Andrew Greeley).

While modern people focus on fellowship, reunion and rest in heaven, divine justice was a major theme in the past. (A historical review of concept is given, as well as a review by religions.)

Buddhists

Jews

Hindus

Mormons (family and work oriented)

Moslems

Laymen are seeking some assurance that being human has more than transitory significance.

Jacob Neusner, a Conservative Jew and Judaism scholar at Brown University (who believes in heaven): “The idea of life after death is clearly an embarrassment to modern thinking – most major philosophers have ridiculed it – but it is just as clearly the touchstone of all religion.”

Saint Augustine: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless, till rest in Thee.”

Woodward: “The hell of thinking about heaven is that we cannot imagine – or trust – a love that surpasses our own understanding.”

An Afterlife Anthology

Mark 9

Mark Twain’s Satan on eternal singing in heaven (1908):

“… Everybody sings! The man who did not sing on earth sings there; the man who could not sing on earth is able to do it there. This universal singing is not casual, not occasional, not relieved by intervals of quiet; it goes on, all day long, and every day… And everybody stays; whereas in the earth the place would be empty in two hours… Consider the deafening hurricane of sound – millions and millions of voices screaming at once … I ask you: is it hideous, is it odious, is it horrible?”

Why I Believe In Heaven

Luke 12:20

Over 1300 years ago in the portion of pagan England called Northumbria, the first Christian missionaries arrived. They came to the courts of King Edwin of Northumbria, and in his great hall ablaze with the light of many torches these Christian missionaries gave their first sermon on the Christian faith.

When they had finished, one old chieftain asked -

"Can this new religion tell us anything of what happens after death?

The soul of man is like a sparrow flying through this lighted hall.

It enters at one door from the darkness outside, flits through the

light and warmth, and passes out into the dark again.

Can your new religion solve for us the mystery?"

Why I Believe In Heaven

Jude 1:4

A friend of mine (Glenn Gunderson) attended a Baptist ordination council in New York State where the candidate was asked, "Do you believe in heaven?"

She responded, "No, I don't believe in it right now. But the topic is at the cutting edge of my faith."

(They ordained her anyway.)

#1146

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Why I Believe In Heaven

John 14:2

There is also the testimony of many people who have been clinically dead.

One authority in this field is Dr. Kubler-Ross.

When she began her studies she described herself as a non-religi-

ous person.

As she worked with thousands of dying patients, she began to

encounter people who were clinically pronounced dead, then

brought back to life.

At first she heard of one or two cases, then more and more.

In all she has examined over 500 people who seemed to die, then

come back.

These people described either a place of beauty, wonder, joy and

peace, or they have described something terrible.

Some of these patients were blind, but could see while they were

pronounced dead by the doctors.

*1147

"Heaven Can't Wait"

Luke 23:43

Death of a eight month old nephew forced author to think of heaven.

1. What is heaven like?

a. God is there.

b. Heaven is a beautiful place.

c. We will be surrounded by wonderful people.

d. We will have a fresh start.

1> A brand-new body.

2> A brand-new nature.

3> A brand-new vocation.

e. We will experience lasting contentment without fear.

2. What difference does heaven make?

a. Knowing there's a heaven can keep us from making a terrible mistake

with our lives.

b. It can encourage us that our daily lives have meaning.

c. It can comfort us when times are hard.

This May Be My Last Chance of Seeing You

John 5:28

When the noted preacher Phillips Brooks was recovering from an illness and was denying himself to all visitors, Robert G. Ingersoll, the agnostic, called. The Bishop received him at once.

"I appreciate this very much," said Ingersoll, "but why do you see me when you deny yourself to your friends?"

"It is this way," said the Bishop. "I feel confident of seeing my friends in the next world, but this may be my last chance of seeing you."

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Version in sermon:

Phillips Brooks was an Episcopal bishop in the 1800s who is most famous as the author of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Toward the end of his life he was recovering from an illness and asked that no friends visit him. But when Robert G. Ingersoll, the famous agnostic, came by, the bishop invited him in at once.

“I appreciate this very much,” said Ingersoll, “but why do you see me when you won’t let your other friends in?”

“It’s like this,” said the bishop. “I feel confident of seeing my friends in the next world, but this may be my last chance of seeing you.”

Hell Fire, When and Where Is It?

Luke 16:19

Seventh Day Adventist booklet concerning hell. People are not tormented forever but burned up (= annihilated?) in hell. We do not have immortal souls.

Version in sermon:

Booklets thrown on my lawn. "Are You Breaking the Law?" with a picture of a cop. I looked around nervously. Upon examination, they turned out to be religious tracts. Episcopalians are at it again.

Actually, I figured it to be work of Seventh Day Adventists. They do not believe in immortality of soul, but only in resurrection at end of time.

They quote second century church leader Justin Martyr as saying:

"If you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, who say

that there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls,

when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are

Christians."

Biblical Facts About Rewards

Biblical Facts about Rewards.

1. Most rewards are received in heaven, not on earth.

2. All rewards are based on quality, not quantity.

3. No reward that is postponed will be forgotten.

Crowns In the New Testament

Crowns in the New Testament.

1. The Imperishable Crown.

2. The Crown of Exultation.

3. The Crown of Righteousness.

4. The Crown of Life.

5. The Crown of Glory.

Betting On Heaven

Luke 16:22

More Americans believe in heaven today than in 1981. A Gallup poll reveals the increase (up from 71 to 78 percent) along with an increase in those who believe in hell (up from 53 to 60 percent).

Of those who call themselves evangelicals, 88 percent claim they have an excellent or good chance of going to heaven. Only 61 percent of those with no religion say the same thing.

A few evangelicals (3 percent), by contrast, believe they have an excellent chance of going to hell. Nine percent of those with no religion believe they are headed for hell.

Those 18 to 29 years old believe in the afterlife more than older adults: 84 percent of the younger group believe in heaven; 71 percent believe in hell.

Heaven

John 16:22

I once led a man to Christ who loved the sunny country of common sense, but he could not put up with the mysteries of godliness. He kept shoving common sense at me, while I kept trying to show him that the mysteries held the meaning of faith.

One day he said, “Pastor, you know this new eternal life I have - well, I’ve been thinking about it. What are we going to do all day long for eternity?”

“We’ll praise the Lord,” I said.

“Forever - for ten million years! - we’re going to stand around and praise the Lord?

“Well, yes,” I said, although heaven was beginning to sound like cable television.

“For millions and millions of years?” he said. “Couldn’t we just stop now and then and mess around a while?”

I kidded him about his “dumb questions,” but I have to admit similar questions of my own at times. How meager our understanding of praise - and heaven!

What Happens When We Die?

Isaiah 11:6

Final sermon in Big Questions Series. The hope of heaven. 2 Cor 5:1-7

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?

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I. What happens when we die?

II. Misconceptions about heaven.

A. Heaven is boring.

B. Heaven is escapism.

III. What heaven will be like.

A. It is more than puffy clouds. Rev 21 & 22

B. Dramatic changes in nature. Isaiah 11:6

C. Expansion of human activity. Rev 21:24

D. Christians will be changed to be like Jesus. Phil 3:21

E. The presence of God will be focus of heaven. Rev 22:3-5

IV. When do we go to heaven?

A. Nighty-night view. 1 Cor 15:51-51; 1 Thess 4:13-14

B. Right away view. Luke 23:43; 2 Cor 5; Phil 1:23

V. Most important question: Are you going to heaven?

A. Many people think they are.

B. We cannot get there on our own. John 14:1-6

C. Death is a victory for Christians.

#2773

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Funeral Oration By Robert Ingersoll

Job 17

It was a cold, gray day in January, and a persistent drizzle added to the misery of the little group gathered about the open grave. A child was being buried. A few feet away stood a man whose name was known throughout the nation. He was a brilliant lawyer, a famous writer and lecturer, one of the most eloquent and dynamic orators of his day. He had come to be known as "the Great Agnostic." The undertaker asked Robert Ingersoll to say a few words, and when told the family requested it he began to speak slowly:

My Friends: I know how vain it is to gild a grief with words, and yet I wish to take from every grave its fear. Here in this world, where life and death are equal kings, all should be brave enough to meet what all the dead have met. The future has been filled with fear, stained and polluted by the heartless past. From the wondrous tree of life the buds and blossoms fall with ripened fruit, and in the common bed of earth, patriarchs and babes sleep side by side.

Why should we fear that which will come to all that is? We cannot tell, we do not know, which is the greater blessing - life or death. We cannot say that death is not a good. We do not know whether the grave is the end of this life, or the door of another, or whether the night here is not somewhere else a dawn....

Every cradle asks us "Whence?" [from where?] and every coffin "Whither?" [to where?] The poor barbarian, weeping above his dead, can answer these questions just as well as the robed priest of the most authentic creed. The tearful ignorance of the one is as consoling as the learned and unmeaning words of the other. No man, standing where the horizon of a life has touched a grave, has any right to prophesy a future filled with pain and tears.

It may be that death gives all there is of worth to life. If those we press and strain within our arms could never die, perhaps that love would wither from the earth. Maybe this common fate treads from out the paths between our hearts the weeds of selfishness and hate. And I had rather live and love where death is king, than have eternal life where love is not. Another life is naught, unless we know and love again the ones who love us here.

They who stand with breaking hearts around this little grave need have no fear. The larger and the nobler faith in all that is, and is to be, tells us that death, even at its worst, is only perfect rest. We know that through the common wants of life - the needs and duties of each hour - their grief will lessen day by day, until at last this grave will be to them a place of rest and peace - almost of joy. There is for them this consolation: The dead do not suffer. If they live again, their lives will surely be as good as ours. We have no fear. We are all children of the same mother, and the same fate awaits us all.

We, too, have our religion, and it is this: Help for the living - Hope for the dead.

This message struck a responsive chord in every heart, and none who heard his words that day ever forgot them. He was later asked to repeat the words as nearly as he could, and they were published for the comfort of other bereaved parents. Robert Ingersoll's famous oration at the grave of a child is today regarded by many as a classic of inspiration [?]. It has long been a source of comfort to people of all faiths in the dark hour of bereavement; and it remains an enduring monument to the memory of the man they called "the Great Agnostic."

#3127

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Currents

Have you ever wondered how far people will go to impress their friends? About as far as Maui. A Hawaiian company sells one-inch-square lots in Maui for $10. You can't build on it, but you can say in all honesty, "I just bought a little property in Maui."

In a similar sense, perhaps Christians can say, "I have a little property in heaven" since we have the first-fruits of eternal life right now.

#3498

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Hallowing Our Heavenly Father

Matthew 6:9

Sermon in Lord's Prayer series. Our Father in Heaven. Matthew 6:9

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HALLOWING OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

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I. God doesn't get much respect.

A. This is a tough time for God.

B. Before we pray, we should recall who God is.

C. It matters what kind of God we pray to.

II. Importance of "Father" in Jesus' theology.

A. Jesus' unique emphasis on an approachable God. Romans 8:14-16

B. Father of all humanity? 1 John 3:1

C. "Our" Father - a prayer for the whole community of faith.

III. He is in heaven.

A. What is heaven?

B. Updating our image of heaven. 2 Cor 12

C. Proper balance of intimacy and awe.

IV. Hallowed be name.

A. Obscurity of "hallow".

B. Meaning of "name." Exod 20:7

V. How to really honor God.

Life In Heaven: Sometimes It Sounds Boring

John 14:2

Is there more to heaven than merely playing harps and singing?

Summary:

1. Our experience is earthbound.

2. Our experience is time bound.

3. Our earthly existence has been mostly self-centered.

4. Only our worship persists eternally. We will enjoy God.

Many people suspect that heaven is boring: you find there only harp playing and singing and casting down of crowns. Surely heaven will be boring after a million years or so!

To escape that boredom, some people have imagined an eternity of activities - work, perhaps (maybe pruning the Tree of Life?), or a continuation of life vocations (like Kipling's eternally painting artist [actually, it is by Robert Browning, which this English teacher should know! - Holwick]). It would seem likely, however, that a surgeon would get bored with performing an infinite number of, say, tonsillectomies.

Other, more "spiritual" people, see heaven as an eternal camp meeting or Bible conference. Presumably, there all the fine points of theology will be worked out.

Still others seem to expect a posh (golden streets) retirement center, with God as the kindly caretaker (anyone for shuffleboard?).

The idea of infinite time on one's hands seems to be the major problem in contemplating heaven: the idea of infinity is really mind boggling. Consider these bits of mathematics: - oo (infinity) plus 10 to the thousandth power, or minus 10 to the thousandth power, or times 10 to the thousandth power, or divided by 10 to the thousandth power. The answer is always oo (infinity).

Infinity appears invulnerable; whatever you do to it, it remains unaffected. What would it be like to celebrate New Year's Day in A.D. 1,000,000 and know that so far as eternity is concerned, no time has passed? To imagine existence in a forever-ongoing eternity is truly mind boggling.

But there is evidently something wrong in many speculations about heaven - for they really are speculation. Scripture tells us little about heaven, and what is there is mostly in symbols. But some speculations are better than others, and perhaps a suggestion may help: The core of the difficulty is that we have had little experience that would prepare us for heaven and eternity.

First, our experience is earthbound, tied to jobs, houses or apartments, the kids, IRAs, and retirement. As a consequence, we are hardly equipped to think in terms other than the continuation of these concerns and activities. Probably that is why Paul can tell us that what is in prospect for us cannot be imagined; we have only what God tells us - and that's not much (1 Cor. 2:9-10).

Second, our experience is time bound. Our activities have a beginning, a continuance, and an end. Today we are conscious of a time structure and of the passage of time. We look forward to an end, to the achievement of some goal. It may be a United Way campaign, or woodworking, or a game - even writing an article on heaven. But heaven is different: there is beginning and continuance, but no end. There is no achievement to look forward to. There is only the continuing. And it is this continuing that threatens to be boring.

Third, our earthly existence has been primarily self-centered. We have been busy with our careers and our families and our debts, with legislators and presidents. But in heaven, all these will be past, with heaven providing one long retirement from all those things we have been doing for ourselves.

Of course, retirement often comes as a relief. Frequently, however, the relief lasts only for a while, and then boredom sets in. In light of all these factors, it is easy to see why it is difficult to speculate about heaven. We could simply abandon all speculation and wait for the reality.

But one aspect of our earthly existence will persist eternally: it is our worship of God, glorifying and enjoying him. We do this on earth, we will do this in heaven - forever. Heaven will allow us to experience perfectly that famous answer in the catechism: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever."

Note, however, that we shall not be enjoying ourselves, but God. Now, on earth, we are not heavenly minded; we tend to think of ourselves, of enjoying ourselves. But heaven will be different. In heaven the center is and will be God.

But aren't we back at square one with this idea of eternal worship - all those harps and so on? No, we are beyond them, for they are tools, maybe real, maybe symbolic. The reality beyond them is the state of heart and mind; it is our activity for eternity: glorifying and enjoying God. But is that boring?

Have you ever noticed a couple deeply in love? They can simply sit and look at each other without a word. Suppose they could be frozen in one of those ecstatic moments, to go on with no end and with no sense of passing time. Would not this be "heaven" to them? In the same way, we must remember that heaven is not timebound. Time, and the sense of time, will be swallowed up in eternity. But there it will be the church worshiping.

Think of a crowd of supporters whose athletic team has just won a championship game. Freeze them in that moment. Is that not "heaven" for them? Then think of the church caught up in glorifying and enjoying God and frozen there forever.

Does heaven still sound boring?

________

Dr. King is English professor emeritus at Malone College, Canton, Ohio.

The Fork

Luke 14:15

The sound of Martha's voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim's face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all of the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went. This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words.

"Preacher, could you stop by this afternoon? I need to talk with you." "Of course, I'll be there around three. Is that OK?" It didn't take long for Jim to discover the reason for what he had only sensed in her voice before. As they sat facing each other in the quiet of her small living room, Martha shared the news that her doctor had just discovered a previously undetected tumor. "He says I probably have six months to live".

Martha's words were naturally serious, yet there was a definite calm about her. "I'm so sorry to ..." but before Jim could finish, Martha interrupted. "Don't be. The Lord has been good. I have lived a long life. I'm ready to go. You know that."

"I know," Jim whispered with a reassuring nod.

"But I do want to talk with you about my funeral. I have been thinking about it, and there are things that I know I want."

The two talked quietly for a long time.

They talked about Martha's favorite hymns, the passages of Scripture that had meant so much to her through the years, and the many memories they shared from the five years Jim had been with Central Church. When it seemed that they had covered just about everything, Aunt Martie paused, looked up at Jim with a twinkle in her eye, and then added, "One more thing, preacher. When they bury me, I want my old Bible in one hand and a fork in the other."

"A fork?" Jim was sure he had heard everything, but this caught him by surprise. "Why do you want to be buried with a fork?"

"I have been thinking about all of the church dinners and banquets that I attended through the years," she explained, "I couldn't begin to count them all. But one thing sticks in my mind. At those really nice get-togethers, when the meal was almost finished, a server would come by to collect the dirty dishes."

"Sometimes, at the best meals, somebody would lean over my shoulder and whisper, 'You can keep your fork.' And do you know what that meant? Dessert was coming! It didn't mean a cup of Jell-O or pudding or even a dish of ice cream. You don't need a fork for that. It meant the good stuff, like chocolate cake or cherry pie! When they told me I could keep my fork, I knew the best was yet to come!"

"That's exactly what I want people to talk about at my funeral. Oh, they can talk about all the good times we had together. That would be nice. But when they walk by my casket and look at my pretty blue dress, I want them to turn to one another and say, 'Why the fork'? That's when I want you to tell them that I kept my fork because the best is yet to come!"

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Here is another version making the rounds on the internet:

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" the pastor replied.

"This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them:

'Keep your fork - the best is yet to come.'

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. However, he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of Heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over, he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

Therefore, the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel,indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

#4373

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Seeing What We Will Receive

Mark 9:2

Listen to this inspiring thought by Catherine of Genoa. This was written sometime around 1460, but it rings true across the centuries.

If we could see what we will receive in the life to come, we

would cease to occupy ourselves with anything but the things of

heaven. But God, who desires that we see by faith, gives us this

vision little by little, sufficient to the level of faith of

which we are capable. In this manner, God leads us into a greater

vision of that which is to come until faith is no longer needed.

The Grand Farewell

Mark 16:19

Christmas means poinsettias and pageants; Easter, masses of snow-white lilies and the grand sounds of the "Hallelujah" chorus. But Ascension Day usually comes and goes without a trace: no special flowers, no bathrobe drama -- not even a bare word of recognition. Yet this commemorates a watershed event.

We pay a lot of attention to Jesus' coming into the world as a baby at Christmas. Then the fanfare was impressive: stars, angels, heavenly hosts. But Jesus left the world, too, and his leaving is cause for celebration.

A CLOUD TOOK HIM

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Jesus' ascension was witnessed by only his disciples. Three New Testament passages give accounts. Mark 16:19-20 indicates that after Jesus commissioned his disciples, he was received into heaven and was seated at the "right hand of God." While this phrase may sound jarringly graphic to us, it is best understood as a metaphor for power and authority. In Scripture, to be "seated at the right hand of God" is to be given a supreme place of honor and authority, a role God, granted symbolically to Old Testament kings (Ps. I 10:1). Mark's gospel proclaims that Jesus journeyed from Earth to heaven and now reigns with the sovereign authority of God (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 8:1-2). Jesus now participates in the glory he shared with God before the world was created (John 17:5).

In Luke 24:50-53, Jesus blessed his disciples, "withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven." Then "they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy" (NRSV). At this Gospel's beginning, angels announced "good news of a great joy" when Jesus was born (2:10). Now the Gospel ends with worship and praise as the disciples realize the joy of Jesus in their own community. The ascension climaxes Jesus' earthly ministry, the goal and destiny toward which he was moving (Luke 9:51).

Acts 1:9-11 is the most detailed ascension account. Luke indicates there was a 40-day interval between the resurrection and the ascension. During this time Jesus appeared to his disciples and spoke to them about the kingdom of God (1:3). Jesus instructed them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (1:4-5). The promised Spirit would bring them power to become Christ's 11 witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (1:8).

After Jesus promised this, "he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight" (1:9). The "cloud" refers to the glory and presence of God-just as the cloud over the tabernacle (Exod. 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10-11) and the cloud that led the Jews through the wilderness (Exod. 13:21) represented the glory and presence of God with the people of Israel. Now Jesus is entering that same immediate presence of the Lord. He will be where God is ("heaven").

That the disciples can no longer "see" Jesus indicates the times of Jesus' physical appearances are ended. Now the crucified Christ, risen from the dead, has been "lifted up" and enters into his glory. He will no longer be visibly observed by his gathered community. Now a new relationship between Jesus and the company of believers is established. From now on Jesus will not be physically perceived but will be known through "what my Father has promised," the "power from on high" (Luke 24:49, NRSV)-- the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).

In all these biblical accounts, Jesus is physically separated from the disciples. Then they begin their ministries of witnessing to Jesus as the Christ after the Holy Spirit is given to them. The Ascension was the prerequisite for the outpouring of the Spirit (John 7:39; 16:7). Jesus left so the Spirit could come. Now the new people of God receive the Spiritps power to proclaim Jesus as Messiah and carry out their ministries in the church.

But how? We scurry over it so quickly in the Apostles' Creed, confessing that Jesus "ascended into heaven." But what does it mean for us?

A DOOR TO HEAVEN

================

Since the fourth century, the church has celebrated Ascension Day on the sixth Thursday (or fortieth day) after Easter. Some may see the ascension as a tearful event. Jesus bids "farewell" to his disciples, signaling he will no longer be physically present with them. The joy of knowing the resurrected Jesus may have seemed short-lived.

But the disciples were not dabbing at their eyes for long, for the ascension proved a better blessing. Paul says Christ ascended so "that he might fill all things" (Eph. 4:10). John Calvin pointed out that "Christ left us in such a way that his presence might be more useful to us-a presence that had been confined in a humble abode of flesh so long as he sojourned on earth. ... As his body was raised up above all the heavens, so his power and energy were diffused and spread beyond all the bounds of heaven and earth." Christ's spiritual presence is with believers wherever they are, whether trauma centers or traffic jams or on troop transports. Now we ALWAYS have Christ.

Our faith receives many benefits from Christ's ascension. Calvin, the premier theologian of the Reformation, listed three:

First, CHRIST OPENS THE WAY TO THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM. Christ's ascension inaugurates the kingdom of God. The "age to come" has come to Earth because Jesus has ascended to heaven. Like a fairy-tale Prince Charming, this real-life Prince of Peace has awakened his cursed and sleeping people and brought them into God's happily-ever-after. The way to heaven, blocked since the sin of Adam and blocked in our own lives because of our sin, has been opened-cleared by the work of Jesus Christ, through his obedience to God, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension to rule with God.

Jesus has "entered heaven in our flesh, as if in our name," writes Calvin. So in a sense, as Paul says, we are seated with God " in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:6). Or, as Calvin again writes, "We do not await heaven with a bare hope, but in our Head [Jesus Christ] already possess it."

Second, CHRIST HAS BECOME OUR ADVOCATE AND INTERCESSOR. This is a vital New Testament theme (Heb. 7:25; 9:11-12; Rom. 8:34). The ascended Jesus is our advocate or "defense counsel." More effective than Melvin Belli, he does not rely on procedural tricks or rhetorical eloquence, but still he changes God's whole way of looking at us by standing in our place. Instead of looking on our sin, God looks on Christ's righteousness. We are sinners, to be sure. But we are REDEEMED sinners. We are received by God's grace in Christ as God's children because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. We have one who acts on our behalf and opens the way for us to approach God without fear. Nothing could make us bolder! Nothing can fill us with complete confidence more than knowing that Jesus supports us and mediates for us in the presence of God.

Third, CHRIST GIVES US HIS POWER. In his resurrection and ascension, Christ was raised victorious over the evil powers of sin and death. As Paul wrote, "When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive" (Eph. 4:8, NRSV). Christ now sits on high, according to Calvin, "transfusing us with his power" while he "daily lavishes spiritual riches" upon his people.

We have power for the present, because he who sits at the "right hand of God" rules the world. The same power that directs the cosmos is now available by the Holy Spirit, who makes Christ real to us in the here and now. Christ's ascension encourages us to look forward to the ultimate triumph of his reign (1 Cor. 15:25). This same power of Christ, the power to love, is ours every day, for every occasion-whether in love for the beggars and homeless, or for bosses and colleagues, or strangers, or even for those who have wronged us. Christ is not limited by time or space. Jesus is our constant companion.

CELEBRATE!

=========

So celebrate Ascension Day! Sing hymns that lift up Christ's kingship. Picture Jesus as our advocate before God, and pray to him as our only mediator. Focus your personal and congregational worship on Christ's presence with us through the Spirit. Claim the power and exercise the gifts Jesus has promised.

Why celebrate? First, because Christ's ascension means our future destiny is secured in God's kingdom. That is a destiny to dream about! It also means our worship and prayers are heard by God since Christ continually brings us into God's presence. And Christ's ascension guarantees that the powerful love by which he reigns in this world is available to us right now. Salvation is ours and the power for ministry since the Spirit is with us!

---------------------------

Donald S. McKim is the editor of the "Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith" (Westminster/John Knox) and "Major Themes in the Reformed Tradition" (Eerdmans).

*

Heaven Or Hell?

One day while walking down town, a Human Resources recruiter was hit by a bus and was tragically killed. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. "Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a HR manager make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in," the saint replied.

"Actually, I think I've made up my mind... I prefer to stay in Heaven." "Sorry, we have rules...." And with that, St. Peter put the manager in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell. The doors opened and the Recruiter found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow HR professionals that she had worked with. They were all dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed a delicious steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute), and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. The HR manager was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good-bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter waiting for her.

"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So the HR manager spent the next 24 hours lounging around on the clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. "So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity," he said.

The HR manager paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this. I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell."

So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again the consultant went down-down-down back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up garbage and putting it in sacks for the evening meal. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her and laughed at her surprise. "I don't understand," stammered the HR manager, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."

The Devil looked at her and grinned, "That's because yesterday we were recruiting you, but today you're staff."

Farewell, My Son!

Psalms 121:2

FAREWELL, MY SON! We will see you soon!

Our 23-year-old son was killed on May 31, 1998. His car struck a tree on Makakilo hill in Hawaii. We see some of the definite fingerprints of God's providence surrounding his death. We are so glad for the intimacy of God's loving care! While speaking at Family Camp in Clear Lake, Iowa, I shared some memories from the heart. This series of farewells ends in a truth that I think will touch your hearts too and bring glory to our God.

When Micah was a little child of three, we began to understand that awesome pain in a farewell. We left him with family so we could formally enter missionary service in another state. He did not want a separation. What emptiness as we left him behind! Finally, the business was accomplished, the miles covered and the weeks passed. What a happy night when we shut off the engine and hurried to his sleeping side!

As a young man, Micah was a student at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa. We stood by the curb and cried together. Then we said good-by and left for our ministry in Hawaii. His life was blessed abundantly; but the ache in our farewell was very hard!

Later Micah came to us and made the Islands his home. Will we ever forget that memorable day in 1997 as we concluded our mission? Weeping, Micah left the church service to regain his composure. But he accepted God's purposes as we followed His will.

Last May, the time apart seemed so long. We wrote, "Like a passing ship - Micah was born into our lives 23 years ago. Now he is an ocean away." Then on May 31, the ocean was suddenly reduced to a single heartbeat. We are still asking, "When will we see him again?" Heaven is another dimension - separated by the valley of the shadow of death. We have many precious but fading memories. We groan as we say, "What an aching in our hearts to bid that last farewell!"

Our daughters surprised us with a beautifully framed picture for our 25th wedding anniversary. What a treasure! It was taken during the last evening with Micah. Moments later he boarded the plane for Hawaii. How painful to gaze into his somber eyes! More than ever we concur, it hurts to say farewell!

Micah's body was flown to Iowa. Pausing at a stop sign in my home town, a hearse suddenly flashed into the intersection. Agony struck me deep - like a stake right through my neck! I cried inside, "That's him! They got my boy home!" In just a day the funeral was over!

Weeks before, talking to Micah on the phone, he was very concerned as he asked, "Did Julie get her present yet?" That gift caught up with her on the day that he was buried. Then in the evening, she opened his box to find a beautiful backpack from "big brother!" He enclosed a card which read,

Julie,

Can't believe that you have graduated. Seems like you should still be a

little sister. Not a college student. This present is also for your

birthday so Happy 18th Birthday. Wish I could of bought you something

nicer. Hope you had fun trying to open this. I would of wrapped it but

I thought this would be more fun. Miss seeing you all. Wish I could be

there for your graduation but I am broke. If you still want to come see

me this summer I have a Buddy Pass for you and Angela. Hope to come see

you all when you move to Utah. Can't wait! Love you!

MICAH

P.S. Here is a picture of me and my girlfriend.

What precious reminders of his love! Julie sat in the grip of her Uncle John and just cried for a long while. In our day of struggling with this farewell, Micah expressed his own longing and hope for the future! Then he introduced us to a very special person in his life. His friends said that he expected to move to Utah to be with us. That evening, we understood better than ever, how deeply hard it is to say farewell!

Several days later we landed in Honolulu and stared out the window at the ramp area where Micah worked. During the days to follow, we embraced many of his friends. Time seemed to stand still during that solemn assent to the scene of the crash. Then apprehensively, we visited his vehicle. Eagerly, we went to the places where he ate, played, worked and worshiped. With a sigh, we weakly turned the key and stepped into his apartment. At last, we looked sadly out the window as the jet backed away. It all looked so empty as we bid farewell to the life we knew with the son we loved!

Weeks passed as we waited for Micah's death certificate. Finally, I held in my hand the saddest paper that I have ever read! Clouds of agony stormed my soul as a howling gale! I struggled for days, suffocating in grief! We were to resume our furlough ministry. Then about 9:00 AM Sunday morning, God answered prayer! "My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth!" Ps. 121:2. He lifted me so gently from the valley floor and breathed into me His heavenly CPR! How wonderful this rescue of grace! And how hard, HOW VERY HARD, to say, farewell!

Busy with life I find myself mentally off guard at times, then the truth blind-sides me again. I groan, "Oh no, Lord! Not Micah!" He was born to live and so full of life! Our love reached out to protect him from danger as we wanted his life to be happy, long and full.

High over the Pacific, we closely examined the fatal tree, our minds imagining the impact of the dark and awful scene. Firemen pulled Micah from the crash site; death was soon to follow! We sure hurt when we viewed the bruised and broken body of our precious son! We learned more about the struggle and agony of a last farewell!

Yet there is one farewell that remains IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND! Please read this slowly and meditate on each phrase. See what you think.

"And when I think that God . . .

His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die . . .

I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross . . .

my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died . . .

to take away my sin."

Imagine!! "His Son not sparing ... Sent Him to die?" All the farewells of history pale in comparison to this! I cannot comprehend...

the dark and awful scene that day,

the hill God made or the tree God grew,

the willingness to leave glory for a trip to the grave,

the way that God holds the world like a tiny tear,

the wicked brutes torturing the innocent Lamb,

the explosion of passion the Father felt for His Son,

the depth of Jesus' loneliness as He suffered for hours,

the extent of His injury - or the trauma from our sin,

the demonic attack as mighty angels waited on wing,

the day the sky turned black and earth shook in horror,

the cry from a bloody cross or silence in a garden tomb,

the awe as Heaven's inhabitants watched in wonder, or

the great endurance of His loving Father's restraint!

Who can understand the holy One dying for us sinners? Who can understand that gigantic step from the throne to the womb? Was Heaven silenced as the Lord made His way to the gates of Glory? What was it like when Christ breathed this foul air of human depravity? As our sin grieves the Spirit of God; how great was His grief as Jesus bore our sin? Ponder the Heavenly Father's pain as He bid farewell to His own beloved Son!

As I pause by the grave of my boy, I take courage knowing that one day his grave will experience more power than Hiroshima and Nagasaki put together! Resurrection power blew the doors off hell for every blood-bought child of God! Neither a stone tomb in Israel nor a cemetery plot in the Iowa countryside are a match for the Son of God!

"Then sings my soul ...

my Saviour God to Thee;

How great Thou art ...

how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul ...

my Saviour God to Thee;

How great Thou art ...

how great Thou art!"

I understand sinners, guilty and confused, fleeing from a holy God. Sad loss! The devil never showed them anything about a father's love! I do not understand why believers, who ought to know and appreciate what God did for us, fail to live for Him! I understand working to provide for the family. I do not understand workaholics who sacrifice family relationships for the stuff of this world! We miss our son and we are restless now, just waiting at the end of this series of farewells. Micah always was fast! He just beat us home!

"For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in Him,

should not perish,

but have everlasting life!" John 3:16

- In loving memory of Micah John Brocka,

Dad

*

A Message From Heaven

Job 14:14

"A Message From Heaven"

Perhaps you aren't ready yet

to have to say good-bye...

Perhaps you've thought of things

you wish you'd said -- well, so have I.

For one thing, I'd have told you

not to worry about me...

I'm with the Lord in heaven now --

you knew that's where I'd be.

I'm sorry that you're feeling sad,

for I'm so happy now...

I've asked the Lord to ease the hurt

and comfort you somehow.

It's hard at the beginning,

but I know you'll make it through...

I hope it helps to know

that I'll be waiting here for you.

*

How Do You Get Into Heaven?

Acts 16:31

How Do You Get Into Heaven? This question will bring a variety of

answers. A confusion of views is evident in the following sampling of

opinions gathered for the Radio Bible Class program 'Sounds of the

Times': - "God wouldn't send you to hell." (New York) - "I'll cross that bridge when I get there." (Boston) - "You have to believe in God." (Miami) - "There is nothing I can do about it." (New York)

- "I don't dare say that I know I'm going." (Los Angeles)

- "Keep the Ten Commandments." (San Francisco)

- "How I live my life...being kind to other people." (Boston)

- "Jesus gave His life for my salvation." (Los Angeles)

- "I couldn't care less." (Boston)

- "Be a good person." (Gainesville)

- "I feel I'd go to hell." (San Francisco)

Can we know? Or is one idea as good as another? The Word of God tells

us that we can have a definite answer. It's the answer that focuses on

Jesus Christ. \reference{Acts 16:31}{Acts 16:31} emphasizes, "Believe

on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." \reference{Ephesians

2:8-9}{Ephesians 2:8-9} tells us, "For by grace you have been saved

through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not

of works, lest anyone should boast." Jesus Christ announced that whoever believes in Him will "not perish

but have everlasting life" (\reference{John 3:16}{John 3:16}).

\reference{Romans 5:1}{Romans 5:1} reminds us that we can be qualified

for heaven by faith in Christ. --Kurt E. DeHaan

More Than A Feeling - What Dreams May Come

A new movie starring Robin Williams, “What Dreams May Come” is all about going to heaven. But before Christians start flooding movie theaters, remember that Hollywood's idea about heaven may be very different from ours. Generally heaven is depicted as the culmination of our dreams of ultimate happiness. Understandable, I suppose, for Hollywood, since happiness is supposed to be everyone's goal. But not only does Hollywood have a wrong view of heaven; it's also got a distorted view of happiness.

Williams plays a character who dies and goes to heaven -- only to find that it looks exactly like a 3-D version of a painting done by his artist wife. The idea is that eternal bliss is being near our loved ones -- or next best thing. In Williams's case, it means living in a landscape his wife has painted while he waits for her to come to heaven. But more importantly, Williams's heaven is a creation of his own will. When he notices a bird painted in the sky above his head, Williams asks his spiritual guide why it's not moving. The guide says it's completely up to him; if he wants it to, it will fly. So Williams wills the bird to life, and it begins to fly wherever he wants it to go.

The underlying theme is that ultimate happiness is being able to control reality, to have all our wishes and desires fulfilled.

Well, this may well reflect the contemporary view of happiness, but it falls woefully short of the historic view.

Deal Hudson, editor of “Crisis” magazine, writes that the classical idea of happiness had to do with a state of character and virtue. The ancient Greek word for happiness meant the formation of character over a lifetime. It referred to how well we conformed ourselves to reality: that is, the structure of the universe around us, and our own nature. Only by learning to live in accord with our true nature can we be genuinely happy.

This is the sense of happiness the Founding Fathers had in mind when they talked about the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” They meant we have a right to practice the virtues that ultimately lead to true happiness. That was the ancient Greek understanding, and it was also the Christian understanding.

Today, Hudson writes, “the word happiness [has been] stripped of its moral meaning.” The modern understanding has more to do with feeling good and getting what we want.

In “The Abolition of Man,” C. S. Lewis says, “For the wise men of old, the cardinal problem had been how to conform the soul to reality. And the solution has been knowledge, self-discipline, and virtue.” But for the contemporary mindset “the problem is how to subdue reality to the wishes of man.” Lewis had it right!

The truth is that we are not the creators of reality, God is. And the more we try to create our own Reality, the unhappier we become. But the more we live in harmony with the objective reality God has created, the happier we will be.

Williams's movies are usually hits and widely discussed. If your friends start talking about this film, use it as an apologetic opportunity. Heaven is not the happiness of having our own way. And anyone who has tried the self-indulgent, hedonistic lifestyle has discovered the only real happiness is finding peace through Him who conforms us to the moral order He has created.

______________

(c) 1998 Prison Fellowship Ministries Copyright notice: We encourage liberal distribution of these transcripts through email and print. Please do not post on the world wide web or use this content for profit.

Capt. Stormfield visits

Luke 10

Mark Twain's "Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven." About a man named Capt. Stormfield who dies & goes to heaven. Shown "the ropes" of heaven by a man named Sandy. Learns very quickly that heaven is not what he'd pictured. Newcomers: ask for wings, harp, palm branch--sing for about 1 day. One of the exciting things to do is to welcome new arrivals. Important: millions come, patriarchs & prophets--Archangel. One of the biggest was for a butcher--Richard Duffer. For years he gave away all his profits to the poor. Not beggars, but those who'd starve rather than beg. Follow home, give food, find jobs--nobody saw him!

"That's the way they do things up here," Sandy explained, "the insignificant people are the ones that really get honored." In Luke 10 there is the story of the disciples return from "the limited commission." Disciples: "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." Jesus: "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Earth wedded, not jilted

Indeed, it is worth noting that most uses of the words 'heaven' or 'heavenly' in the New Testament bear little relation to the meanings we have so unscripturally attached to them. For us, heaven is an unearthly, humanly irrelevant condition in which bed-sheeted, paper-winged spirits sit on clouds and play tinkly music into their pipe-cleaner halos and drop off from boredom . . . But in Scripture, it is a city with boys and girls playing in the streets; it is buildings put up by a Department of Public Works that uses amethysts for cinder blocks and pearls as big as the Ritz for gates; and indoors, it is a dinner party to end all dinner parties at the marriage supper of the Lamb. It is, in short, earth wedded, not earth jilted. It is the world as the irremovable apple of God's eyes. Robert Capon, The Parables of the Kingdom, (Zondervan, Grand Rapids), pages 91, 92. Submitted by Terry Morgan, Lutheran Church, Kettering, Ohio. 45429

Getting ready for it

The angels from their thrones on high/ Look down on us with wondering eye,/ That where we are but passing guests/ We build such strong and solid nests,/ And where we hope to dwell for aye/ We scarce take heed a stone to lay. Origin unknown

Mother Teresa quote

We all long for heaven where God is but we have it in our power to be in heaven with Him right now - to be happy with Him at this very moment. But being happy with Him now means: loving as He loves, helping as He helps, giving as He gives, serving as He serves, rescuing as He rescues, being with Him for all the twenty-four hours, touching Him in His distressing disguise. -Mother Teresa in "A Gift for God"

Seeing the goal

On a foggy July 4, 1952, Florence Chadwick tried to swim the 21miles from Catalina Island to the coast of California. No woman had ever done it. Thousands watched on TV. Mother & trainer were in a boat alongside to give encouragement. There was another boat with men to shoot any sharks that got too close. 15 hrs., 55 minutes after beginning she quit only 1/2 mile from shore. She quit not because she was cold & tired, but because she couldn't see the shore. She came back on a clear day and swam it 2 hours faster than any man ever had. She could see the shore this time!

Unimaginably good

[God] is up to something so big, so unimaginably good that your mind cannot contain it . . . What we see God doing is never as good as what we don't see. -Ben Patterson in "Waiting"

What is heaven for one ...

I will never forget a story on Twilight Zone, almost 20 years ago. A young hoodlum was being chased by police as the story opened. Desperately seeking escape, he sees what looks like a laundry chute on the side of a building. He dives down it just as he is shot. As his body disappears down the chute, the camera moves back from the chute and the viewer sees a sign above it which reads: "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here." When the young evil-doer arrives at the chute's end, he lands in a room. The room looks like an ordinary living room with an older couple dressed in matching Hawaiian shirts. Their slide projector is set up ready to go. Bing Crosby is singing Hawaiian songs on the record player and there are easily 1000 boxes of slides ready to be seen. The young hood complains about their strange clothes and even stranger music. He tries to leave but finds no windows or doors. He is now in great anquish, while the couple are obviously enjoying themselves immensely. The first slide is projected on the screen. The couple spend ten minutes delightedly arguing about which airplane engine they are looking at on the plane which took them on their trip. As the couple's pleasure increases, so in like measure does the anguish of the young hoodlum. And so the story ends -- with this cast of characters seemingly to share this setting for eternity. The point was well made that what is Heaven for some would be Hell for others -- and vice versa. Whether eternal life is Heaven or Hell for us depends on who we are, not where we are.

________

John Martin, Union Congregational Church, Arvin, California 93203

Belief in Heaven stronger

People tend to believe in Heaven more than in Hell. Survey taken in 1980 found that since 1952 belief in Heaven has remained steady at 71%. Belief in Hell has steadily slipped from 58% (1952) to 53% (1980).

What God won't ask

What GOD Won't Ask

--God won't ask what kind of fancy car you drive. He will ask how many people you took to church who didn't have transportation.

--God won't ask the square footage of your home. He will ask how many people you helped who didn't have a house.

--God won't ask how many fancy clothes you had in your closet. He will ask how many of those clothes you gave away...

--God won't ask what social class you were in. He will ask what kind of "class" you displayed.

--God won't ask how many material possessions you had. He will ask whether those material possessions dictated your life.

--God won't ask what your salary was. He will ask if you trampled over any people to obtain that salary.

--God won't ask how much overtime your worked. He will ask, "Did you work overtime for your family?"

--God won't ask how many promotions your received. He will ask what you did to promote others.

--God won't ask what your job title was. He will ask, "Did you perform your job to the best of your ability?"

--God won't ask how many promotions you took to chase a dollar bill. He will ask how many promotions you refused to advance your family's quality of life.

--God won't ask how many times you didn't run around on your spouse. He will ask you how many times you did.

--God won't ask how many degrees you had. He will ask how many people you thanked for helping you get those degrees.

--God won't ask what your parents did to help you. He will ask what you did to help your parents.

--God won't ask what you did to help yourself. He will ask what you did to help others.

--God won't ask how many friends you how. He will ask how many people you were a friend to.

--God won't ask what you did to protect your rights. He will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.

--God won't ask what neighborhood you lived in. He will ask what other neighborhoods you visited.

--God won't ask how times you told the truth. He will ask how many times you told a lie.

--God won't ask about the color of your skin. He will ask about the color of your heart.

--God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words. He will ask how many times they didn't.

ALL OF US WILL STAND BEFORE GOD SOMEDAY... AND EVERYTHING WE DID, SAID AND THOUGHT WILL COME TO LIGHT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I HAVE SOME THINGS TO MAKE RIGHT.

Laying up treasure in heaven

STEWARDSHIP - Reward for

Robert Leslie Holmes relates the legend of the wealthy man who stood at heaven's gate, where he was met by St. Peter to be directed to his new home. St. Peter led him down the streets of gold and through a magnificent area of mansions. The man paused, expecting to be shown his home there, but St. Peter continued on and the man followed. Finally, St. Peter came to a worn-down neighborhood. He stopped in front of a tiny shack and said to the man, "Here's your eternal home." The man became indignant and said, "This cannot be! On earth I lived in the lap of luxury; I had everything anyone could desire. Now you want me to live in this hovel? Surely this is a mistake!" St. Peter replied, "Sir, you must understand that all we had to build this house with was the material you sent to us while you lived on earth. We would have been happy to build you a spacious, well-decorated mansion, but you did not send us the proper materials." Holmes says, "Heaven is a gift. What happens after we get there will be our reward. What on earth are you doing, for heaven's sake?" (Holmes is Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA)

Resurrection: When Everything Sad Becomes Untrue

Job 19:26

The hope of the resurrection is the sure promise that, for the believer, all that is sad and hurts will become untrue. These quotes help us meditate on our blessed hope.

From The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien:

“Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue?

A great Shadow has departed,” said Gandalf, and then he laughed and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count.”

Another quote, this one from Keller:

The fourth great doctrine is that of the bodily resurrection from the dead for all who believe. This completes the spectrum of our joys and consolations. One of the deepest desires of the human heart is for love without parting. Needless to say, the prospect of the resurrection is far more comforting than the beliefs that death takes you into nothingness or into an impersonal spiritual substance. The resurrection goes beyond the promise of an ethereal, disembodied afterlife. We get our bodies back, in a state of beauty and power that we cannot totally imagine. Jesus’ resurrection body was corporeal – it could be touched and embraced, and he ate foot. And yet he passed through closed doors and could disappear. This is a material existence, but one beyond the bounds of our imagination. The idea of heaven can be a consolation for suffering, a compensation for the life we have lost. But resurrection is not just consolation – it is a restoration. We get it all back – the love, the loved ones, the goods, the beauties of this life – but in new, unimaginable degrees of glory and joy and strength. It is a reversal of the seeming irreversibility of loss that Luc Ferry speaks of. (Tim Keller, Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering, 58-59).

C.S. Lewis:

“Son,’ he said, ’ye cannot in your present state understand eternity ... That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, “No future bliss can make up for it,” not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say “Let me have but this and I’ll take the consequences”: little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. Both processes begin even before death. The good man’s past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven: the bad man’s past already conforms to his badness and is filled only with dreariness. And that is why ... the Blessed will say “We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven, : and the Lost, “We were always in Hell.” And both will speak truly.”― C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce.

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[Original illustration at this number was added to HolwickID #13040]

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A Man and His Dog

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the

scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He

remembered dying, and that the dog had been dead for years. He wondered

where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high,

white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble.

At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in

the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate

in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to

the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate,

and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was

close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought

right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler

asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and

continued the way he had been going. After another long walk, and at the

top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm

gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As

he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and

reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there" The man pointed to a place that

couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned

hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a

long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full,

he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree

waiting for them.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is heaven," was the answer.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said

that was heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope.

That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they

screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind".

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As a small boy my mother baked cake for the family and per- mitted

me to "lick the pan" after she was through mixing the batter. At

supper after we had finished the main course the family "felt" the

cake was going to be a real treat. But I had something better than a

feeling to go on. I had a sample. I already knew the cake was

delicious. In the same way, I know a little about how its going to be

when we get to heaven because by serving Jesus Christ on this earth I

have already gotten a "taste of what heaven will be like."

Friend, heaven will be "heavenly!"

- Zig Zigler

Story

A little girl was walking with her daddy under a starlit sky. After

several moments of silence, she remarked, "Father, I've been thinking.

If the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, just imagine what the

right side will be!" ---Christian Endeavor World

WAS the OPERATION A SUCCESS?

WAS THE OPERATION A SUCCESS?

A man opened his eyes after an operation, and said, "Well, was the operation a success, doctor?"

"I beg your pardon," came the reply. "I'm not the doctor. My name is PETER."

Henceforward

Over the entrance of Thornburty Castle there is a scroll upon which is inscribed “Doresenevant.” This is an old French word which means “Henceforward,” or “Hereafter.” The builder was Duke of Buckingham, who in this manner expressed his hopes with regard to the English crown. We may truly say “Hereafter,” and the watch- word should nerve us to endure the period of waiting for our kingdom, because one day we too shall be crowned.

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The nurses and doctors in

a certain insane asylum kept noticing that one of the patients continually searched for a piece of paper. On the

grounds, in his cell, up and down the halls he searched for the paper. They tried

to help him but were unable to give him the needed assistance to find the

paper he looked for. Finally, the day came when the doctors judged that he was

well enough to be discharged from the asylum. On that day they handed him

his papers of discharge, and when he realized what they were his eyes lit

up and he said, "I've found them! I've found them!" "What have you found?"

they asked. "I've found the papers I was looking for," he answered. In the

same manner we have been looking for complete deliverance from the pain and

suffering of this world. One day we will be handed "a set of wings

and a halo" and will realize that we have finally made it to the place of

complete deliverance.

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Revelation 21:4

A visiting pastor spoke

at the Winona Lake Brethren Church. He told the congregation that as a child he used to have a terrible time with car sickness. He would travel for 20 miles and throw up. He soon

developed an inferiority complex from his childhood because his parents would

apologize for him whenever they ride with someone else. It so happened that his

grandma lived 100 miles form home, and the trips to grandma's were always

terrible. But once arrived, he would take off his shoes and roam around the

beautiful country. Grandma would bake the most delicious cake and always say

"yes." For two to three weeks he would thoroughly enjoy his stay at grandma's until it was time to return. And while at grandma's the preacher concluded,

he had forgotten all about the car sick trip going there. "God shall wipe

away all tears from their eyes... .for the former things are passed away"

\reference{Rev. 21:4}{Revelation 21:4}

Heaven Without Jesus?

The beloved hymn “Over the Sunset Mountains” was penned during the writer’s meditation on the piano. Sure that its message would catch on Peterson confidently approached publisher. “We would like to us it,” the approving publisher said after glancing over it, “but we have one little suggestion. Can you take out this reference to Jesus and enlarge a little more on heaven?” Heaven without Jesus? Unthinkable! Clutching his manuscript, the composer walked from the publisher’s office with another song coming on: “I Have No Song to Sing, but that of Christ, my King.” Both songs have become favorites with Christians.

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In an article title, "Are We Ready for Heaven?" Maurice R. Irwin

points out that only 34 percent of the American people who call

themselves Christians attend church at least once a week. He says, "We

sing, 'When all my labors and trials are o'er, and I am safe on that

beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through

the ages be glory for me.' However, unless our attitudes toward the

Lord and our appreciation of Him change greatly, heaven may be more of

a shock than a glory." Daily Bread, July 31, 1992

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In 1991 a Gallup poll showed that 78 percent of Americans expect to go

to heaven when they die. However, many of them hardly ever pray, read

the Bible, or attend church. They admit that they live to please

themselves instead of God. I wonder why these people would want to go

to heaven.

284 Sermon Illustrations on Heaven